BRYNITHEL residents were "over the moon" after Blaenau Gwent councillors refused an application to build new homes on their street following a 22-year battle.

Residents of Pen-y-Graig Terrace, Brynithel, objected to proposals submitted by Andrew Jenkins of Tredegar to build five detached three-bedroom houses opposite their homes.

Plans to build homes on the land have been submitted to the council since October 1987 but local residents have continually fought against proposals as they say it would affect road safety as well as the stability of the land.

Ten different forms of the application were submitted, which were initially for four homes but this was changed to five in 2005.

Outline permission was granted on three occasions but full applications were refused for a variety of reasons, including an appeal against refusal which was dismissed in 1992.

Gwent Police had also objected to the plans due to increased dangers on the road including the possibility of more on-street parking on a road which is already single lane in places.

Resident Graham Williams, 64, who has lived at Pen-y-Graig Terrace for 32 years said: "We have been fighting this for more than 22 years. The roads are already very narrow and the area is quite unstable as it is. We can’t understand why the council keep coming back with proposals."

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Hedley McCarthy said he shared residents’ concerns.

He said: "The highway access will be both difficult and dangerous. There will be increased road usage when the work is complete and during the development.

He added: "We are not satisfied that land stability issues have been addressed and I am concerned for the safety of the residents at Commercial Road, Llanhilleth, which is directly below the proposed development and at risk of falling objects."

Eight councillors voted for the application to be refused due to concerns regarding highway safety.

Following the decision, Mr Williams said: "We are over the moon that after a long battle, the application has been refused."